- Roger’s story – The opportunity to grow and explore
- Sonia’s story – Finding your feet in the right agency environment
- Dylan’s story – Why I work at Sefiani
- Eva’s story – From intern to Account Executive
Building a career among quality people and quality clients
As I write this, about to embark on a new career outside of the public relations profession, I think back over the past seven years I have been at Sefiani – and contemplate a very fitting end to a 15-year career in public relations. This then is my story, written as a member of the elite group of Sefiani alumni.
The attraction to Sefiani was immediate. In fact, I realised the moment I walked through the door that I had found my professional home at Sefiani. And my instinct was right.
Although I had worked almost ten years in the profession, in both my native South Africa and the UK, I realised Sefiani was a very special place indeed. It’s of course special in different ways for everyone who has ever worked here, but for me, some specific aspects come to mind.
First and foremost, Sefiani is a place of learning, sharing, mentoring and support. Having personally been involved in Sefiani’s recruitment program over the years, people who join Sefiani invariably said to me that what was most evident for them was Sefiani’s unique culture that inspires, encourages, nurtures and supports, and one that is lived by all, from the most recent graduate to the longest-serving senior director. I can honestly say that, right up to the last day, I learnt something every day of my seven years here, both from those younger, as well as from those more experienced than I. Apart from placing a high value on internal coaching and mentoring, Sefiani staff are encouraged to develop their skills and abilities through external training.
The reward for espousing this kind of culture is of course that it attracts the best people. I have no reservation whatsoever saying that everyone who works at Sefiani is talented, personable, professional and does only their best at all times. While those qualities are the same for everyone, the individual personality and special ability of each is never stifled, and therefore makes for a group of very special people who complement each other in a unique and inimitable manner.
The other wonderful Sefiani quality is that it encourages and supports individuals’ innovation and special interests. What that meant for me early on in my career at Sefiani was that because I had expressed a keen interest in the travel industry, I was encouraged and supported to attract travel clients to Sefiani, then a new area for the agency and now a happily thriving practice area today.
The other enduring quality of working at Sefiani for me was the ability to balance one’s work life with one’s personal life. While Sefiani people work hard when they’re at work, they don’t lose sight of the importance of keeping a healthy perspective on all aspects of one’s life. Long hours is the exception rather than the rule, and while there are times when duty calls beyond one’s normal working hours, this is acknowledged and not taken for granted. Team social events are held regularly with great enthusiasm shared by all, which further help to strengthen the fantastic bond that exists between colleagues.
Then there are the clients of Sefiani. Like the people it attracts, Sefiani attracts the best kind of clients: they regard Sefiani as their partner rather than supplier, they value open and mutually respectful working relationships, and they respect the communications counsel provided to them by the talented members of their account team. Because Sefiani clients adhere to similar values as their public relations agency, Sefiani account teams enjoy working with their clients and therefore naturally strive to deliver the best results. And because the results are so good, clients are happy, which in turn makes everyone happy.
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